Rothenburg - A Town Straight Out of a Fairytale

Looking like every Disney fairy tale village that ever existed, Rothenburg is one of
the highlights of Germany's Romantic Road, and is one
of the country's most popular tourist destinations.

* I mean just look at that! I was half-expecting Pinocchio to walk-by.
This is the Plonlein,
the town's most iconic (and photographed) view; shockingly and, luckily for us,
empty this day.

* Coming here in the middle of October was both a curse due to the
freezing cold which we weren't prepared for at all (think scurrying from store
to store to avoid the chill), and a blessing since there were hardly any
tourists there that day making picture-taking very pleasurable.

* Rothenburg is widely regarded as Germany's best-preserved walled town and
is often referred to as the "quintessential German
home town."

* It was here during the Thirty Years War (a
war between Catholics and Protestants), that invading Catholic armies laid
siege to the town's Lutheran inhabitants leaving the town broke and pillaged.

* However this may have been a blessing in
disguise, as the town stopped growing due to this calamity, thus preserving it
in its 17th Century state. What we have now is one of Germany's most popular
tourist destinations, and a very wealthy town!

* Christmas time
has traditionally been the town's most celebratory and exciting season, with
the whole town enthusiastically joining in on the revelry.

* Thus there are whole streets lined with
stores dedicated to selling Christmas decors, lights, trees and ornaments the
whole year round. There is even a Museum dedicated to Christmas!

* The wife giving a not-so-subtle hint for
her preferred Christmas gift!

* While photos are prohibited inside the
Christmas stores and Museum, take my word for it that everything is crazy mad
fun!

* Apart from tourists and Christmas
shopping, the town is also a favorite shooting location for numerous films
including Harry Potter
and the Deathly Hallows, The Wonderful World of the
Brothers Grimm, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

* The town was also the inspiration for
the village of the Disney
movie, Pinocchio!
(Remember my earlier reference?)

* Another of the town's notable buildings
is the historic Lutheran Church of St. James, famous for its Holy
Blood altarpiece made by Germany's most famous wood carver, Tilman
Riemenschneider.

* Lifelike statues, as if Medusa had frozen them in time!

* From the looks of things, everyone here was prepared for the
cold weather.. everyone but us!

* A few shots of the numerous signages found all over town.. what
is this, Hogwarts?! Check out the dude on the lower right looking like the
Starbucks logo!

* Brisk walking the whole town will get you from one end to the
other in just 15 minutes!

* The whole town is thus best experienced on foot!

* Awesomely, I wandered off to this street where several of the
stores specialize in medieval armors, weapons, and memorabilia!

* They even have a lifelike sculpture of
Aragorn, several knights in fighting pose, and friggin Excalibur for sale. (The
rock included!)

* Replica swords from all the epic movies!

* "Ahh yes, I'd like to buy these
fine Templar statues as my den could use some pizzazz!"

* An anecdote about the town shares that
during World War II, the US Assistant Secretary of War, knowing of Rothenburg's
beauty and cultural significance, made sure that the town was spared the
massive air bombings and artillery shelling that befell all other German towns
and cities.

* Buying some last minute souvenirs for the fine folks at home.
Check out the epic cuckoo clock!

* Exiting via the same way we came in, through the town's
impressive walls.

* One more shot before continuing on our journey along the
Romantic Road.

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The Writer

In 2011, a 26 year old millennial based in Manila, Philippines had a paradigm shift on his views on life, love, and faith. He then decided to set things right by embarking on a journey; one that would take him along the ancient streets of Jerusalem, the magical islands of Greece, the catacombs of Paris, and the heart of the Red Square in Moscow, among other cool and interesting locales. Follow Dane on his continuing six year long trek around the world!